Older Craftsman Sockets With Plasic Base?

[MN Falcon]

So I was digging through my Stepfather's toolbox again and came across some odd Craftsman sockets. They seem to be early "easy read" sockets using a plastic piece molded to the base of the socket. The smooth ring around the center of the plastic piece says Craftsman USA PAT PEND (very lightly).

The example posted is a 10MM 6 point 3/8" drive deep socket.

Does anyone have any more info on these sockets, ie time frame etc. He got the sockets used some time ago, so doesn't know much about them. I would assume these sockets didn't go over so well (especially the short ones) because the extra plastic would get in the way? I would also assume the plastic was likely fragile, and not knowing how the socket might be marked under the plastic, they might easily lose the markings?

 

[oak_park]

They were part of the Stainless / Lifetime Ratchet series. Keep digging to see if you can find the ratchets, they're very collectible and valuable. Might have been made for Craftsman by Stanley.

Looks like below...

 

[MN Falcon]

Cool, thanks for the quick reply. I didn't see any ratchets to go along with them, these were just in a drawer of misc sockets that he has. I will check his whole box out more closely though to see if I can find some. Are the sockets themselves collectable? He is likely willing to let them go, as I say they are in a drawer of misc sockets, so he doesn't really put them to any use.

They were part of the Stainless / Lifetime Ratchet series. Keep digging to see if you can find the ratchets, they're very collectible and valuable. Might have been made for Craftsman by Stanley.

Looks like below...

 

[Tool Pants]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47029&highlight=Colvin&showall=1